TOP 10 BEST DOMINICAN DISHES TO TASTE

Hello Travelers!

First of all, the best part of traveling to another country, is to get to know the culture. All the little details that locals do, when put together, create their special authenticity. The way they talk, behave, live, move, think, enjoy their spare time, but above all, the way they EAT.

On my personal taste, eating is certainly one of the most fabulous rewards of traveling. I’m always amazed of the infinite creations that cooks all around the world can achieve with the same ingredient. Let’s learn a bit about the Dominican Republic culture.

Apart from appreciating Dominican dishes, we are also great lovers of eco tourism, which by the way, that’s what our previous publication was about.

Today I would like to introduce you to the Top 10 Best Dominican Dishes that you should try when visiting Puerto Plata. Very emblematic and delicious foods that will help you understand one of the sources of the Dominican joyful personality.

1) First, the Dominican Breakfast

(some of us also like it for dinner): Mangú = Smashed boiled plantain, with fried onions, fried eggs, Salami and cheese. The best way to start your day and make you ready to enjoy the town.

2) Dominican Dishes – Bandera Dominicana

Another one, the Dominican Flag. This Is what most Dominicans eat on their regular days for lunch. White Rice, Stewed red beans, Stewed meat (mostly beef or chicken) and some fries mostly Tostones (Fried Green Plantain), Frito Maduro (Fried ripe plantain), or Fried Yuca (tapioca), with Green Salad.

3) Dominican Dishes – Sanchocho

Is a big “soup” with most of the Dominican vegetables and tubers like: Plantain, Tapioca, Yautia ( Taro if it’s white, Malaga if it’s yellow) , Squash, along with up to seven kind of meats that could include: Longaniza (special dominican Sausage), pork, beef, chicken, smoked ribs, bacon, etc. Some people even put some Corn cobs in there.

Similarly to other dominican dishes, You normally eat it with white rice. Is a MUST on the Dominican Diet on rainy or cold days. Another variation exist, adding RED BEANS cream, turning into a SANCOCHO DE HABICHUELAS (Beans Sancocho).

4) Dominican Dishes – Chivo Guisao

Also, the Stewed Goat. Is a delicious herb seasoned meat, slowly cooked until tender with some dominican rum or Mamajuana to add a special Dominican Touch flavor.

5) Dominican Dishes – Mofongo

And hey, if you love Garlic, this is one your dominican dishes! Mofongo is a balanced combination of fried plantain, fried pork rind and lots of garlic, all mixed together for a very strong and “fat free” (the fat comes free) delicious taste.

6) Deep Fried Fish

Seems like this is an entire fish (yes, with eyes, spines and all). Dominican seasoning style. Certainly, one of the most delicious way of eating fish, and is also a must for Dominicans when visiting Maimón and/or Sosúa beach. Put some lemon juice over it for fresher citric added flavor.

7) Asopao

He’s another one, Rice Soup. Is also a must on the Dominican rainy –cold days. The taste varies a lot depending of what you made if from: Chicken, Pork , Shrimps, or my favorite one: Crab claw.

8) Puerco Asado

Furthermore, Puerco con Moro. This is normally the traditional Christmas main dish, New Year or any big party meal for dominicans. Being the Roasted Pork the main protagonist of the meal, after being slowly cooked at the fire pit for several hours. Along with Moro (Rice with any kind of beans or peas) cooked together in the same pot, as a result, we have a very popular dominican dish.

9) Pasteles En Hoja

(Leafy Plantain Pie) is a Caribbean style way to cook the plantain or Tapioca along with stewed meat inside, all cooked wrapped in a Plantain leaf that will give the dish the special shape and flavor. This is a part of the traditional Christmas and New Year dinner as well and many people also eat it alone as dinner.

10) Avocado

Finally, Avocado is a delicious and very healthy Caribbean fruit that normally accompany all the dishes above. It is also a DAILY MUST on each Dominican meal.

I guess you must be as hungry as I feel right now after savoring all of those delish Dominican dishes while reading them! Hope you get to taste most of them, if not, you can always come back to try the rest. And of course, I now owe you the list of Drinks and Desserts that could accompany all those great dishes. So I guess you should follow my future posts for some of those tips too.

But don’t stay inside the restaurants or hotels only tasting those amazing dishes. If you are visiting Puerto Plata in the following days, there are even more activities scheduled that you can add up to your agenda, like discovering the way Dominicans enjoy their holidays at The Malecón, on our Dominican holidays. For this month we also have the dates: January 21st and January 26th.

Historical Tips

On January 21st we celebrate our “Virgen de la Altagracia Day” (Holy Mary full of Grace). It is one of the most important religious days in Dominican Republic. Our Altagracia Virgen Mother, is the protector of all Dominicans. Having her special Basílica (church) in Higuey (East part of the country) where most religious followers go to commemorate her day. All of the Catholic churches in DR have a special mass that day in her name.

On January 26th we celebrate Juan Pablo Duarte’s birthdate. Juan Pablo Duarte was the main leader of our Independence Day. Therefore on Jan 26th we commemorate his birthday, and due to that, most schools have parades and theatrical acts on his behalf.

Upcoming Events

Jan 18th – Jan 19th

We also have some Events in Puerto Plata between January 15th-31st that could spice up your days and nights after your Beach sessions:

Jan 18th – 11:30 Am and 1:30 PM at Teatro Ivan Garcia, Puerto Plata – LA RUEDA – Theater Play .
Jan 18th – 6 PM at Plaza Independencia Puerto Plata – Claro Video Festival – Movie and Music HD big screen projections
Jan 18th – Jan 20th – 12 Noon at Laser Training Cabarete – 17th Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta. – Sailing Race, Music, Food.
Jan 19th – 2PM at Poli Deportivo Puerto Plata – Mi Talento por el Cambio – Talent show competition.
Jan 19th – 8 PM at Teatro Ivan Garcia, Puerto Plata – Ahora que Vuelvo, TON – Theater Play.
Jan 19th – 5 PM at Blue Jack Tar Jack’s Kite & Grill – Winter Beach Party with DJs Camilo Taveras and Joseph Miller.

Jan 19th – Jan 26th

Also, Jan 19th and Jan 20th – From 8 Am to 5 PM – at La Puntilla Puerto Plata – La novia del Atlantico Surfing Championship – Surfing, Paddleboarding, Bodyboarding y Longboarding championship. Music, food and great waves!

Jan 20th – 8 PM at The Beach Club, Sea Horse Ranch – Winter Beach Jazz – Live Music and Food.
Jan 20th – At Kviar Disco at Puerto Plata – Urban Singer El Nene Amenazzy and Dj Audel Furcal.
Jan 25th – 11:30 Am and 1:30 PM at Teatro Ivan Garcia, Puerto Plata – LA RUEDA – Teather Play.
Jan 25th – 11 PM at Chalos Bar Puerto Plata – La Insuperable – Urban Singer.
Jan 26th – 9 PM at Anfiteatro Puerto Plata – OMEGA Concert.

Another thing, we really hope you can learn more of the Dominican living style, by participating in any of the events above.

Finally, if you enjoyed our blog Mega Adventures, please share it, like it, comment it, or send me a direct email. I am more than happy to help you have a great visit time in Puerto Plata!

Until the next one!!

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Dominican Dishes – Top 10 Best To Taste 2024